Rumonge : ten people sentenced after unrest fueled by organ trafficking rumors

SOS Médias Burundi

Rumonge, March 9, 2026 – Ten people arrested in the Kigwena and Rumonge zones of Rumonge district, Burunga province in the south of the small east African nation, were sentenced Sunday evening by the Rumonge First Instance Court. They were prosecuted for spreading alarming rumors, rebellion, assault and battery, and insulting law enforcement.

The Rumonge First Instance Court, sitting in summary proceedings, delivered its verdict in the case concerning ten people arrested on Saturday, March 7, following unrest sparked by accusations related to alleged human organ trafficking.

The defendants, from the Kigwena and Rumonge zones of Rumonge district, Burunga province, received varying sentences. Some were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to six months and fined 100,000 Burundi francs. Others were sentenced to one year in prison, with six months to be served, and ordered to pay 300,000 Burundi francs in damages to the defamed party.

The charges included spreading rumors and information likely to alarm the population, defamation, rebellion, assault and battery, and insulting and defaming security officers in the performance of their duties.

Tensions sparked by organ trafficking accusations

The ten people were arrested following unrest on Saturday, March 7, fueled by mutual accusations that some individuals were involved in the harvesting or theft of human organs.

According to several witnesses, rumors circulated in the area accusing some people of having “stolen” the genital organs of other residents, which caused a major disturbance in the Kigwena district town center.

According to the public prosecutor, these rumors quickly escalated into violence, with some people attacking the alleged victims. In its indictment, the prosecutor’s office stated that the spread of such unfounded rumors was likely to seriously disrupt public order and sow panic among the population.

The police intervened to disperse the crowd, which was attempting to take the law into its own hands. Law enforcement had to use force to control the situation.

During the clashes, four people were injured, one seriously. According to medical sources, the seriously injured person is currently hospitalized at Rumonge Hospital.

During the hearing, all the defendants pleaded for leniency from the court.

After deliberation, the verdict was announced around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. The ten convicted individuals were immediately taken to Rumonge Central Prison, also known as Murembwe.

The police spokesperson warned anyone who continues to spread rumors that certain individuals are victims of genital mutilation. According to him, such statements risk inciting panic among the population, and those spreading them will now be considered troublemakers and prosecuted according to the law.

Last week, similar rumors circulated in the Buyenzi zone of ​​the commercial capital, Bujumbura, also causing tensions in some neighborhoods.